CHAPTER FOUR
When he closed the door and followed her into the spacious room her heartbeat sped up in anticipation. Now was the moment. The start of something new and incredibly special. She turned to face him, but he was still several feet away, getting something out of a drawer. He turned back to her, his expression solemn.
“I want you to see this. I want you to know you’re safe with me.” Peter handed her the piece of paper he’d retrieved from the drawer.
It was some kind of medical report. She was shocked for a moment, but then curiosity got the better of her. When she looked closer, she realized it was the results of recent blood tests the Army had conducted on Peter showing that he was healthy as a horse and not infected with anything from his many travels, including any nasty STDs.
“I’m not trying to talk you into anything or pressure you in any way.” Peter’s eyes were kind when she handed the paper back to him. “They keep a close eye on us in the service—especially our Spec Ops group, since we get sent some pretty exotic places. I just wanted you to know… I didn’t want you to worry about anything with me.”
“You’re sweet, Peter.” She cupped his cheek and leaned in for a tender kiss. “Thank you.”
“I haven’t been with anyone since I met you, Lilly.” His impassioned whisper made her draw back in surprise.
“A man as gorgeous as you? You could have any woman at the gym, including more than a few of the married ones, if you wanted them.” She tried to laugh, but her words were no more than the truth.
“I’m not that kind of guy. Once I saw you, Lilly, I knew it was you or no one. I’ve been waiting for this for months.”
“Months?”
“Six months, to be exact. It hasn’t been easy.” His arms came around her waist, pulling her closer. His eyes mesmerized her as he captured her gaze.
“I’m clean too, and on the pill. But you’ll have to take my word for it.” She blushed at the brazen statement and the fact that she hadn’t really thought about protection until he mentioned it. Normally she was the most careful of women, but with Peter, all her common sense went right out the window. She was glad he’d brought up the subject because she’d been too caught up in the moment to be cautious.
“I know you’re a modest woman, Lilly. That’s just one of the things I admire about you. You don’t even realize that every man in that gym holds their breath each day to see if you’re wearing your regular T-shirt and long pants or that sexy lycra top and shorts you only wear when it’s really hot outside. They live for the days you wear the lycra. Hell, I’ve lived on memories of you in that form-fitting get up for months now.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Afraid not, sweetheart. You’re a knockout with a killer body and an equally appealing intellect. I started to really fall for you the first time we had lunch together. Do you remember all the things we talked about? I’ve never been so fascinated by a woman’s opinions and thoughts.”
“And I thought for a jock, you had a sharp mind, but I still lusted over your biceps.”
“My biceps, eh?” He drew her closer, flexing those deliciously pumped muscles in his arms.
“Mm-hmm. Some of the girls like to watch you do squats because you have a really nice butt,” she giggled as his eyebrows rose in surprise. “But I always like to watch when you work your upper body. Didn’t you ever notice how more women started to come in on the days you and your guys were scheduled for weight sessions after your martial arts classes?”
“I must be slipping. I didn’t notice any other woman but you, Lil.” He leaned in to nuzzle her ear. “You’ve been my obsession for the past half year.”
She was flattered. Stunned too, but mostly flattered. There was no question he was telling the truth as he saw it. She knew Peter well enough to know that he never said anything he didn’t mean. He didn’t lie to women. He didn’t have to. He was a rarity in modern times—a man who lived by an old fashioned code of honor that ruled his actions and the way he moved in the world. He was honest, honorable and loyal.
“I’ve been watching you too, Peter,” she admitted, laying her cards on the line.
“I’m glad. I’ve been dreaming of this the whole time we’ve been away.” He leaned in, kissing her as he walked them toward the big bed.
His hands were everywhere, making short work of her clothes. She was down to her bra and panties before the backs of her legs even touched the soft side of the bed. Peter looked down at her with fire in his eyes.
“You’re gorgeous, Lilly.” For the first time in her life she truly felt gorgeous when Peter looked at her like that.
“And you’re overdressed.”
She attacked the buttons of his shirt, enjoying uncovering him bit by bit. She pulled the tails of his shirt out of his waistband and then pushed the unbuttoned shirt off his massive shoulders. The cotton of his T-shirt was soft from many washings and warm from his hard body. She leaned in and rubbed her cheek over the softness covering his muscular chest as her hands tugged at the hem, freeing it from the waistband of his pants.
He helped her when she pushed the cotton T-shirt up and over his hard-packed abs, lifting his arms and taking the shirt off completely. He let it drop to the floor, his hands going to her bare waist as she stepped back to tackle his belt.
“Kick off your shoes,” she instructed, but he put her away from him.
“Can’t oblige, sweetheart. I’m wearing boots.” Her disappointed gaze flew to his feet. “But I give you an A for eagerness. Get your pretty tush on the bed, Lilly. I’ll be right with you. Promise.”
“Hurry.”